Energy consumption assessment of 4,000 m3/d SWRO desalination plants

Abstract

The Canary Islands has been pioneer on desalination in Europe since the 1960s and has continued to use intensively the desalination technologies in order to provide water resources. However, one of the most important problems related to the operating efficient of seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) desalination plants is dealing with the high-energy consumption. The present article aims to study, define, and compare the energy consumption cost of five SWRO desalination plants with the same production of 4,000 m3/d in the island of Fuerteventura (Canary Islands). The methodology for carrying out the work is based on analyzing the energy consumption data that directly affect to the operating cost. A comparison between different energy recovery systems was carried out using the data collected over 5 years of operation. The article presents an assessment of different ways to get more efficient operating conditions in order to reduce the operating cost.